It is with pleasure that I present the 2021 Chair Report for the Ballarat Sports Foundation. The 2021 year has continued to be a very challenging time for all with the effects and limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our local sporting events and competitions have continued to be impacted, but just recently the easing of restrictions has allowed for local sporting groups to commence training and competition opportunities.

The Foundation was unable to undertake scholarship presentations during this year, but will now look to 2022 and the opportunity to provide support to local sports people as sport returns to our community.

In 2022, the Ballarat Sports Foundation will look forward to conducting scholarship presentations as our local athletes’ re-enter state wide sporting events and require support in pursuing their sporting ambitions.

The opportunity to reopen the Foundations scholarship applications will again be considered early in the new year and we encourage everyone to visit our website for future updates.

The Board of the Ballarat Sports Foundation will focus on a number of key priorities during 2022 which will include:

• The opportunity to support local sports people as they embark on a new year
• Building brand awareness and an understanding of the Foundations objectives and activities
• Explore future funding opportunities and develop local business opportunities and relations
• Provide a new digital presence including a new website and funding application process

The Ballarat Sports Foundation philosophy stands true and is as follows:

• A community-based project aiming to encourage and support local sports people who have demonstrated potential to achieve and further develop in their chosen sport,
• Foster the spirit of community pride and success through encouragement of Ballarat sportspersons to pursue sporting excellence, and
• Provide a focal point to co-ordinate community sponsorship and donors.

The Foundation is grateful to all its sponsors who continue to make this philosophy a reality through their ongoing support. Our major sponsors are:

• Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club,
• City of Ballarat,
• North Ballarat Sports Club, and
• The Rotary Club of Ballarat South.

We also have several supporting and media sponsors, including:

• WestVic Sports Academy
• Ballarat OSM,
• Smalldog Design,
• The Ballarat Courier,
• Radio 3BA, and
• WinTV

In addition to these sponsors, the Foundation is thankful for donors that have consistently provided ongoing support over many years. These donors are:

• John Davis,
• Rex Hollioake Youth Development Trust, and
• St Peter’s Tennis Club Trust.

The Following personnel comprised the Board for the 2020/2021 year:

Chair – Peter Blackburn

Deputy Chair – John Burt OAM

Treasurer – David Chalmers

Scholarships – Colin McClelland, Carmal Bayly, David Brehaut, Juri KaczKowski, Greg McIntosh, Grant McKechnie, Morgan Murphy OAM, Lee Prentice

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of a highly respected and dedicated former board member, Janet Jones OAM. Janet was a great contributor to the Foundation and the local community, and was duly recognised in the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours, receiving an OAM for service to surf lifesaving and to the community. Our condolences and thoughts are with Janet’s family.

Congratulations to the Ballarat Sports Foundation Patron, Steve Moneghetti AM, who in November 2021 was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame for his contribution to sport through administration.

Thank you to all Board members for their continued support this year. In 2022, the Ballarat Sports Foundation will look to play its part in resuming sport locally, and to provide athletes with the support required in taking the next steps in their sporting journey.

Since the Foundation’s scholarship funding commenced in 1996 to the end of this financial year, a total of 1346 scholarship recipients representing 82 sports were allocated financial support totalling $492,650.

The Ballarat Sports Foundation…. Making a difference!

Peter Blackburn (Chair)

Ballarat Sports Foundation